Program Notes: Sergio Mendes

PROGRAM ARY BARROSO Arr. Marty Gold “Brazil” ERNESTO LECUONA Arr. Ferde Grofé “Malagueña” from Andalucia Suite Espagnole LEROY ANDERSON Blue Tango COLE PORTER Arr. Ralph Hermann “Begin the Beguine” ASTOR PIAZZOLLA Melodia en La menor SERGIO MENDES

Sunday, August 6, 2017 | 7:30PM

SERGIO MENDES WITH THE SAN DIEGO SYMPHONY

INTERMISSION Sergio Mendes (Selections to be announced from the stage.)

piano and vocals Sergio Mendes conductor Sean O’Loughlin | See page 8 for bio.

Performance at Embarcadero Marina Park South

S AN D I EG O SYM PHONY ORCHES TRA 2017-18 SE ASON AU GUST 2017

Program subject to change.

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SERGIO MENDES WITH THE SAN DIEGO SYMPHONY – AUGUST 6 | PROGRAM NOTES

ABOUT THE ARTISTS

In the ’80s he scored with the No. 1 Adult Contemporary and

Producer, composer, keyboardist and vocalist, SERGIO

Music for his album Brasileiro. Since then, Mendes has gone

MENDES’ influence on the music industry has spanned five

on to be honored with two Latin Grammy® awards for Best

decades and continues to evolve through new collaborations

Brazilian Record, Timeless (2006) and Bom Tempo (2010),

and mediums.

which was also nominated for a 2010 Grammy® award.

One of the most internationally successful Brazilian artists of

Mendes’ innovation and versatility has enabled him to

all time, Mendes has recorded more than 35 albums, many of

collaborate with a wide a range of artists. In 2006 his Timeless

which went gold or platinum, and he’s a three-time Grammy®

CD was a collaboration with contemporary pop, rock, urban and

Award winner.

hip-hop artists, including Justin Timberlake, John Legend and

pop Top 10 hit “Never Gonna Let You Go.” And in 1992 Mendes was awarded his first Grammy® in the category of Best World

Black Eyed Peas – with a re-recording of his early gem “Mas In 2012, Mendes received his first Oscar® nomination in the

Que Nada” alongside Gracinha Leporace, Mendes’ wife. 2008’s

music category for “Real In Rio” from the animated, 3-D feature

Encanto featured neo-soulster Ledisi and Spanish-language

film Rio. In addition to being the executive music producer

favorite Juanes.

for the blockbuster film, he also contributed five songs to the movie. The soundtrack, Rio: Music from the Motion Picture,

In 2011, Mendes released his 39th album, Celebration: A Musical

featured re-recorded versions of his hits “Mas Que Nada”

Journey, which represented his 50 years as a recording artist and

and “Valsa Carioca.” Mendes, once again, was responsible for

included classics from his career as well as new recordings with

bringing the distinctive rhythms of Brazil to a global audience.

Ivete Sangalo and Siedah Garrett, among them a remake of “The

Mendes again provided the music for the animated feature

Fool on the Hill.” He also performed that classic tune at the 2011

sequel Rio 2. The movie also featured new Brazilian artists. The

MusiCares Gala Honoring Sir Paul McCartney.

film is directed by Carlos Saldanha, who directed the original 2011 film. Rio 2 was released in the U.S. in 2014 by 20th

Mendes’ iconic album, Herb Alpert presents Sergio Mendes &

Century Fox.

Brasil ’66, was also inducted into the Grammy® Hall of Fame,

Mendes started his career with 1961’s Dance Moderno and

King Jr’s “I Have A Dream” speech, the Rolling Stones’ Exile

the groups Bossa Rio and the Sergio Mendes Trio. From the

On Main St. and others in the 2012 class of historically

mid-1960s to the late 70s, Mendes established his legendary

significant recordings.

status by taking numerous albums and singles to the top of the charts. But it was Sergio Mendes and Brasil ’66 which sparked global stardom. Performing “The Look of Love” at the 1968 Oscars, their version went Top 10, quickly followed by the hits “The Fool on the Hill” and “Scarborough Fair.” Enjoying immense popularity, Mendes added soul and funk to his jazz and pop, but always with a Brazilian rhythm. His earlier single, “Mas Que Nada,” marked the first time that a song sung entirely in Portuguese hit Billboard’s Pop chart in the U.S. Mendes’ signature mix of bossa nova/samba and his distinctive pop instrumentation features melodies with distinct sophistication

joining Bruce Springsteen’s Born In The U.S.A., Dr. Martin Luther

Currently, Mendes continues to tour worldwide as well as composing and producing for several upcoming films while also working on his own album projects. Mendes and his cool factor continue to be ever present.

2014 saw the release of his latest album Magic, a collection of new songs recorded with a host of friends and special guests, including John Legend, Will.I.Am, Carlinhos Brown and more. Magic also features the 2014 World Cup hit single, “One Nation.” n

and alluring sexiness that ultimately came to define Brazilian music for many music enthusiasts around the world.

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